GIFT   OF 


No.    121 


Athletic  Badge  Test  for  Girls 


Copyright,  1915, 

Joseph  Lee,  Trustee  for  Playground  and  Recreation 

Association  of  America 


Reprinted  from  The  Playground 
August,    1916 


Kiaygri 


y ground  and  Recreation  Association  of  America 
1  Madison  Avenue,  New  York  City 


Price,  Five  Cents 


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The  Athletic  Badge  Tests  for  Girls* 

The  Playground  and  Recreation  Association  of  America  has 
adopted  the  following  as  standards  which  every  normal  girl  ought 
to  be  able  t6  attain: 

First  Test 

All-up  Indian  Club  Race  30  seconds 

or  Potato  Race  42  seconds 

Basket-ball  Goal  Throwing 2  goals,  6  trials 

Balancing 24  ft.,  2  trials 

Second  Test 

All-up  Indian  Club  Race   28  seconds 

or  Potato  Race 39  seconds 

Basket-ball  Goal  Throwing 3  goals,  6  trials 

Balancing '(bean-bag  or  book  on  head)   .  .   24  ft.,  2  trials 

Third  Test 

Running  and  Catching    20  seconds 

Throwing  for  Distance,  Basket-ball  42  ft.,  or  Volley-ball  44  ft. 
\^olley-baIl    Serving    3  in  5  trials 

The  athletic  sports  of  the  girls  in  rural  communities  begin 
largely  in  the  schools.  There  are  226,000  one-room  rural  schools 
in  the  United  States  and  because  of  lack  of  gymnasium  equipment 
and  dressing-room  facilities,  events  requiring  bloomers  and  bathing 
suits  are  not  advisable.  There  are  many  splendid  events  which  can- 
not be  used  nationally.  For  instance,  rowing,  swimming  and  other 
water  sports  are  as  impossible  in  many  sections  of  the  prairie 
countries  as  are  skating  and  skiing  in  the  south.  Archery,  golf, 
field  hockey,  horseback  riding  and  tennis  have  been  found  to  be 
quite  beyond  the  means  at  the  disposal  of  the  majority  of  school 
girls  in  both  city  and  country.  There  are  communities  in  which 
any  form  of  dancing  does  not  meet  with  approval.  In  view  of 
these  facts,  the  above  events  have  been  agreed  upon  as  most  suitable 
for  use  throughout  the  United  States. 


*  The  revision  of  the  badge  tests  for  girls,  with  the  addition  of  the 
third  badge  test,  has  been  largely  the  work  of  Lee  F.  Hanmer,  chairman  of 
the  special  committee  of  the  x\ssociation  appointed  to  work  out  the  tests. 


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Rules  for  Tests 

There  are  no  height,  weight  or  age  limits  in  the  Athletic  Badge 
Test  for  Girls.  The  following  general  rules  shall  govern  the  final 
tests : 

Unless  otherwise  stated  in  these  rules,  there  shall  be  but  one 
trial  in  each  event. 

It  is  necessary  to  qualify  in  all  three  events  in  any  class  in 
order  to  win  a  badge. 

No  girl  is  permitted  to  receive  more  than  one  badge  in  any  one 
year. 

No  girl  is  entitled  to  more  than  one  first,  second  or  third  test 
badge  even  though  a  full  year  has  elapsed  since  she  last  qualified  for 
a  badge. 

If  a  girl  has  already  qualified  for  a  third  test  or  a  second 
test  badge,  she  may  qualify  for  and  receive  a  badge  for  the  lower 
test  provided  a  full  year  has  elapsed. 

Directions  for  Events 

All-up  Indian  Club  Race 

Draw  two  tangent  circles,  each  three  feet  in  diameter.  In  one 
of  the  circles  place  three  one-pound  Model  BS  Indian  Clubs.  At 
a  point  thirty  feet  distant  from  a  line  passed  through  the  center  of 
the  circles,  and  parallel  to  it,  draw  a  line  to  be  used  as  a  starting 
line. 

On  the  signal  the  girl  runs  from  the  starting  line,  transfers  the 
three  clubs,  one  after  the  other,  to  the  vacant  circle  so  that  they 
remain  standing,  and  runs  back  to  the  starting  line.  The  girl  makes 
three  such  trips  finishing  at  the  starting  line.  The  girl  is  permitted 
to  use  but  one  hand  in  transferring  the  clubs.  The  surface  within 
the  circles  should  be  smooth  and  level.  A  wide  board  may  be  used 
when  the  test  is  made  out  of  doors. 

To  qualify  in  this  event  for  a  first  test  badge  a  girl  must  make 
the  three  trips  to  the  circles  in  thirty  seconds. 

To  qualify  in  this  event  for  a  second  test  badge  a  girl  must 
make  the  three  trips  to  the  circles  in  twenty-eight  seconds. 

Potato  Race 

On  a  direct  line  draw  four  circles,  each  twelve  inches  in  diameter 
and  five  vards  aoart  from  center  to  center.     Five  yards  back  of  the 


center  of  the  first  circle  and  at  right  angles  to  the  direct  hne,  draw 
a  line  to  be  used  as  a  starting  line.    This  is  also  the  finish  line. 

On  the  first  circle  place  a  basket  or  other  receptacle  not  over 
two  feet  in  height  and  with  an  opening  not  exceeding  one  foot  in 
diameter. 

On  the  signal  the  girl  runs  from  the  starting  line,  takes 
one  potato  from  the  basket  and  places  it  in  the  first  vacant  circle 
(the  one  nearest  the  basket),  runs  hack  to  the  basket,  passes  be- 
tween it  and  the  starting  line,  takes  the  second  potato  from  the 
basket,  places  it  in  the  second  circle,  returns  to  the  basket,  passes 
between  it  and  the  starting  line,  takes  the  third  potato  from  the 
basket,  places  it  in  third  circle  and  runs  back  to  the  starting  line. 
From  the  starting  line  she  runs  to  the  first  circle,  picks  up  the 
potato  and  replaces  it  in  the  basket,  passes  between  the  basket  and 
the  starting  line,  runs  to  the  second  circle,  picks  up  the  potato,  re- 
places it  in  the  basket,  passes  between  the  basket  and  the  starting 
line,  runs  to  the  third  circle,  picks  up  the  potato,  replaces  it  in  the 
basket,  and  runs  across  the  finish  line. 

If  a  potato  is  dropped  anywhere  but  in  the  circle  where  it 
should  be  placed  or  in  the  basket  it  must  be  picked  up  and  prop- 
erly placed  before  another  is  touched. 

To  qualify  in  the  event  for  a  first  test  badge  a  girl  must 
cross  the  finish  line  within  forty-two  seconds  from  the  time  the 
signal  to  start  is  given. 

To  qualify  in  this  event  for  a  second  test  badge  a  girl  must 
cross  the  finish  line  within  thirty-nine  seconds  from  the  time  the 
signal  to  start  is  given.  Wooden  blocks  may  be  substituted  for 
potatoes. 

BASKET-BAI.L  Goal  Throwing 

The  regular  basket-ball  goal  may  be  used  or  a  ring  eighteen 
inches  in  diameter  (inside).  It  should  be  placed  ten  feet  above  the 
ground  and  the  inside  rim. should  extend  six  inches  from  the  sur- 
face to  which  it  is  attached. 

From  a  point  directly  under  the  center  of  the  goal  draw  a  semi- 
circle with  a  radius  of  fifteen  feet,  for  a  throwing  line. 

The  girl  may  stand  at  any  point  outside  of  but  touching  the 
throwing  line.  The  basket  ball  used  shall  be  of  standard  size  and 
weight. 

The  goal  may  be  made  either  by  a  clear  throw  or  by  bouncing 
against  the  back-board. 


To  qualify  in  this  event  for  a  first  test  badge  a  girl  must 
make  two  goals  in  six  trials. 

To  qualify  in  this  event  for  a  second  test  badge  a  girl  must 
make  three  goals  in  six  trials. 

Balancing 

A  standard  balance  beam,  twelve  feet  long  and  two  inches  wide, 
may  be  used,  or  a  two  by  four-inch  plank,  set  on  the  two-inch  side. 
The  length  shall  be  twelve  feet. 

There  is  no  time  limit  in  this  event  but  there  should  be  an  en- 
deavor to  meet  the  requirements  promptly,  without  haste,  and  with 
perfect  poise. 

In  the  first  test  the  girl  starts  from  the  center  of  beam,  walks 
forward  to  the  end,  without  turning,  walks  backward  to  center; 
turns  and  walks  forward  to  other  end ;  turns  and  walks  forward  to 
starting  point. 

In  the  second  test  the  girl  starts  from  center  of  beam  with  a 
bean-bag  or  book  balanced  on  her  head  and  walks  forward  to  the 
end;  turns  and  walks  forward  the  entire  length  oi  the  balance  beam; 
without  turning,  walks  backward  to  starting  point. 

Two  trials  are  allowed  in  each  test. 

Running  and  Catching 

At  a  distance  of  thirty  feet  from  the  starting  line  and  parallel 
to  it,  stretch  a  cord  ten  feet  from  the  ground. 

On  the  signal  the  girl  runs  from  the  starting  line,  tosses  a  bas- 
ket-ball or  a  volley-ball  over  the  cord,  catches  it,  and  runs  back  to 
the  starting  line.  Three  such  trips  are  made,  finishing  at  the  start- 
ing line.  In  case  of  failure  to  catch  the  ball,  it  must  be  secured, 
tossed  over  the  cord  (either  direction)  and  caught  before  continuing 
the  run. 

The  starting  line  and  the  cord  should  both  be  well  away  from 
any  wall,  backstop,  or  other  object,  so  that  neither  the  contestant  nor 
the  ball  shall  touch  any  obstruction  during  the  run. 

To  qualify  for  a  badge  in  this  event  the  three  trips  must  be 
made  in  twenty  seconds. 

Throwing  for  Distance 

A  circle  six  feet  in  diameter  shall  be  marked  on  the  floor  or 
ground.  In  throwing,  contestants  shall  not  touch  outside  the  circle 
with  any  part  of  the  body  until  after  the  ball  has  struck  the  ground. 
If  any  part  of  the  body  touches  outside  the  circle,  the  distance  made 


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shall  not  be  recorded  but  the  throw  shall  count  as  one  trial.  Three 
trials  are  allowed  and  the  best  throw  shall  be  taken  as  the  record. 
The  throw  is  to  be  made  with  one  hand,  and  the  distance  required 
to  qualify  is  forty-two  feet  with  a  basket-ball  or  forty-four  feet 
with  a  volley-ball.  If  this  test  is  made  out  of  doors,  it  should  be 
done  on  a  day  when  the  wind  does  not  blow. 

Volley-ball  Serving 

A  volley-ball  net  or  piece  of  cord  shall  be  stretched  at  a  center 
height  eight  feet  across  the  playing  space.  Twenty-four  feet  dis- 
tant a  line  shall  be  drawn  on  the  floor  or  ground  parallel  to  the  net. 
The  contestant  with  volley-ball  in  hand  shall  stand  facing  the  net 
and  toeing  the  line  with  either  foot.  She  tosses  the  ball  with  one 
hand  as  in  tennis  and  strikes  it  with  the  other  hand  over  the  net 
so  that  it  shall  fall  within  a  square  ten  by  ten  feet.  This  square 
shall  be  marked  on  the  floor  or  ground  ten  feet  from  the  net  and  at 
right  angles  to  it.  Five  trials  are  allowed  to  make  three  aces.  If 
the  contestant  steps  forward  over  the  line  before  the  ball  strikes  the 
ground,  no  score  is  allowed,  but  it  counts  as  one  trial. 

Badges  * 
The  following  badges  have  been  adopted  for  the  three  different 
classes : 


// 


The  badge  for  the  first  test  is  distinguished  by  one  star,  the  badge 
for  the  second  test  by  two  stars,  the  badge  for  the  third  test  by 
three  stars.    All  the  badges  are  in  bronze. 

The  Association  recommends  that  each  girl  passing  the  tests  be 
allowed  to  pay  for  her  own  badge,  just  as  a  young  woman  at  col- 
lege elected  to  Phi  Beta  Kappa  pays  for  the  key  awarded. 

Prices 

The  price,  postpaid,  either  singlv  or  in  quantity  is  twenty  cents 
each. 


*  Designed  b>  Mrs.  Edith  W.  Burroughs,  New  York  City,  for  the 
Playground  and  Re^eation  Association  of  America,  1915.  Copyright 
1915,  Joseph  Lee,  Trustee  for  Playground  and  Recreation  Association  of 
America. 


13 

Ordering  Badges 

Public  schools,  private  schools,  playgrounds,  evening  recreation 
centers,  settlements,  church  organizations,  and  other  organizations 
of  good  standing  in  any  city,  town,  village  or  rural  community  may 
use  the  tests  adopted  by  the  Association  and  certify  on  blanks  fur- 
nished Ijy  the  Association,  the  names  and  addresses  of  giris  passin^j 
the  tests,  ordering  the  number  of  badges  of  each  kind  required. 
It  is  not  possible  for  the  Association  to  send  out  sample  badges. 

Tlie  American  Committee  on  Athletic  Standards  for  Girls  will 
pass  on  each  hst  certified.  If  such  list  is  accepted  by  the  committee, 
the  badges  ordered  will  be  forwarded  on  receipt  of  the  money  for 
such  badges.  The  Association  will  reserve  the  right  to  test  girls 
whose  names  have  been  sent  in  if  in  the  judgment  of  the  Committee 
it  seems  desirable  to  do  so.  The  Association  will  expect  those  cer- 
tifying these  lists  to  exercise  the  greatest  possible  care.  The  object 
in  passing  on  each  list  is  so  far  as  possible  to  make  sure  that  badges 
shall  go  only  to  such  girls  as  have  passed  the  tests  required. 

THE  BADGE  TEST 

What  It  Does 

Every  girl  ought  to  have  poise  and  control  over  her  body. 

Every  girl  ought  to  be  able  to  attain  a  minimum  physical  stand- 
ard. 

Every  girl  passing  the  tests  is  authorized  to  wear  this  badge 
which  stands  for  physical  efficiency. 

Girls  from  every  part  of  America  will  pass  the  same  tests  and 
wear  the  same  badges. 

The  girl  who  is  physically  efficient  will  be  happier  and  more 
useful  to  society. 

It  is  hoped  that  once  each  year  in  each  city  there  may  be  a 
meeting  of  the  girls  who  have  qualified  in  previous  years  to  welcome 
those  who  have  just  qualified  and  that  this  meeting  will  be  made  a 
notable  annual  civic  event. 

To  raise  the  standard  of  physical  efficiency  among  the  girls  of 
Atnerica  is  to  give  greater  freedom,  beauty,  and  power  to  the  women 
of  America. 

Presentation  of  Athletic  Badges  to  Girls 

The  Association  suggests  that  the  presentation  of  the  badges 
be  such  as  to  deepen  the  sense  of  loyalty  to  their  country  in  the 
minds  of  the  girls  receiving  them,  and  also  to  impress  members  of 


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their   families  and  others  who  shall  witness  the  ceremony.     The 
following  program  is  suggested : 

1.  Singing  of  Star  Spangled  Banner 

2.  Reading  of  Lincoln's  Gettysburg  Speech  by  the  Mayor 
or  some  other  adult 

3.  The  girls  who  have  been  previously  awarded  repeat  to- 
gether the  following  declaration  of  allegiance : 

I  will  honor  my  country 

I  will  do  my  best  to  build  up  my  country's  free  institutions 

I  will  not  disgrace  my  city  or  my  school 

I  will  try  to  keep  myself  strong  for  my  country's  service 

4.  The  girls  who  are  now  to  receive  badges  repeat  the  same 
declaration  of  allegiance  to  America 

5.  An  address  not  to  exceed  five  minutes  on  the  subject, 
"For  a  Better  America,"  to  help  deepen  the  feeling  of  patriotism 

6.  Award  of  the  badges  to  those  who  have  passed  the  first 
test,  second  test,  third  test 

7.  Singing  of  America — first  stanza  by  those  who  have  just 
been  aw^arded  the  badges  and  those  who  have  received  them  in 
previous  years ;  the  remaining  stanzas  by  all  who  have  gathered 
together 

Wherever  possible  it  w411  be  found  effective  to  arrange  for 
a  processional.  If  the  aw^ard  of  the  badges  is  out  of  doors,  the 
presence  of  a  band  will  help  greatly. 


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OVERDUE. 

j          001  *«  '^ 

■ 

MAR  2 1  1935 

m)    2 

933 

'"^  >8« 

JUL     22  1946 

NOV  2  9  19^5 

i  ^aRDEC  29 

LD  21-50m-8,-32 

GENERAL  LIBRARY  -  U.C.  BERKELEY 


BD00'13tfi2t 


3G048. 


NS3 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA  UBRARY 


